Algarve Situation Report Wednesday 2nd December 2020
Covid-19 Statistics
An 80-year-old man, resident in Portimão, is the most recent fatal victim of Covid-19 in the Algarve and one of the two deaths reported today by the General Health Directorate. It will not be counted as being caused by the new coronavirus.
“One of the deaths recorded by DGS is that of a person who died and, after that, tested positive for Covid-19. However, this is not the cause of death, so we will not account for it and we will inform the National Health Authority” he said.
As for the man who died at Hospital de Portimão, “he was not connected to any home or to any outbreak” and “there is no information on related fatalities”.
Thus, there are now 55 deaths recorded by the Regional Health Authority, which also adds to the figures of the Algarve people who died from Covid-19 in the region, even though they lived outside the region – the DGS now counts 51, a number that should be corrected to 50 in tomorrow’s report.
Also according to regional data, there are today 37 new cases of Covid-19 in the Algarve, as many as those recovered. Even so, and due to the death that was registered, the active cases dropped by one, to 1,579.
HIV infections in the Algarve
After the Metropolitan Area of Lisbon, the Algarve is the second region in the country with the highest rate of diagnosis of people with HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) infection. Thus, in 2019, the number of cases diagnosed per 100,000 inhabitants was 13.7 in the district of Lisbon and 13.5 in the district of Faro.
In absolute terms, however, the Algarve is much less prominent, with 59 new cases of HIV infection (aged 15 years and over) diagnosed in 2019, being overtaken by Lisbon (391), North (162) and Centre (110).
Nevertheless, data on HIV infection, which, if left untreated, may give rise to AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome), is encouraging in Portugal, as the number of new cases has dropped again in 2019, maintaining the downward trend that has been observed since the year 2000. In other words, the year of 1999 is long gone, when 3,358 cases of HIV infection were diagnosed in Portugal.
Given the pandemic situation associated with the economic and social crisis, the municipality said that the usual distribution of the “Cabaz da Consoada” will reach this year a greater number of homes.
In São Brás de Alportel, Christmas will be “even more supportive”
In the impossibility of holding the traditional “Solidarity Dinner”, which seeks to provide the most vulnerable families with a special evening, with the help of local companies in offering all the food for their cooking, the municipality and the parish intend to repay the their solidarity, acquiring from many of these companies – butchers, sweets, food distributors – the foods that make up the basic basket of food needs.
In addition to food, the basket will also bring hygiene products this year. In this perspective, the Local Food Aid Platform launched the appeal to the community to collaborate in this campaign, with the delivery of personal and household hygiene and cleaning products, in the Cineteatro lobby, from Monday to Saturday, from December 3rd.
Also, in partnership with the Salvation Army and with the support of its partners, the solidarity project “Anjinhos de Natal” will be carried out, which awards children from needy families, gifts acquired according to their ages, for Christmas Eve.
Families who are socially vulnerable or who know someone who may need help should contact the Municipal Social Services located at the Community Support Center, through the contacts: tel. 289 840 020 or e-mail: solidariedade@cm-sbras.pt; or the Parish Council, at headquarters or by telephone: 289 842 174.